Mr. Seán Moynihan:

I thank the Cathaoirleach and members of the committee for the opportunity to speak today. In 2024, ALONE supported nearly 44,000 older people to age at home. This number is set to grow and, within the next five years, over 1 million people in Ireland will be over 65. Many of these live very close to the poverty line. CSO and SILC data shows that, without the cost of-living supports provided by Government in last year’s budget, 45.6% of those aged 65 or older would have been at risk of poverty, making them one of the most financially exposed groups in the country. With once-off supports set to be withdrawn in budget 2026, targeted supports are now essential to prevent the risk of poverty from skyrocketing among this group.

The older people ALONE supports, many of whom live alone, have limited incomes or face complex health and housing challenges, are at even greater risk. Many are financially dependent on the State pension which, as it stands, often falls short. Social Justice Ireland places the poverty line at €323.99 per week for a one-person household, yet the current maximum weekly rate for the State pension is €289.30 for those under 80. As the cost of living continues to rise, the current approach to pensions and benefits will leave too many older people falling behind. This strain is especially visible in rural areas like Belmullet in County Mayo and Glenties in County Donegal, where around one in four households are totally dependent on the State pension as their main source of income. With the removal of once-off supports and prices still persistently high, older people on low or fixed incomes are being squeezed harder than ever. We now need targeted action to prevent sharp rises in poverty, isolation and preventable hardship.

Our pre-budget submission sets out five targeted, evidence-based and costed proposals to ensure that social protection supports meet the needs of these at-risk older people. They are grounded in robust data from our cost-of-living survey and in the lived experiences of the older people we work with every day. First, we are asking the Government to increase the State pension by at least €22. For many, the pension is simply not enough to meet basic needs. As one of the older people we support told us:

[I am] extremely stressed and ashamed to be receiving financial gifts from my daughter ... [I] can’t do anything or go anywhere from my own pocket after a lifetime of having worked and earned my way in life.

Second, we are asking for an increase the fuel allowance. Without this, arrears will grow and more older people will be left choosing between heating and other essentials. ALONE hears time and again from those we support that their health means they feel the cold terribly but that they cannot afford to have the heating on so they simply go to bed to keep warm.

Our third proposal is on the living alone allowance. Older people living alone have the lowest median household income in this country. The allowance rate, which has not been increased since 2022, is not benchmarked against anything. We call for an increase of at least €10 in this allowance and for research to establish a fair benchmark that enables those living alone to reach the same standard of living as their counterparts living with a partner or family member.

We also ask for an increase of at least €10 per week in the telephone support allowance and for it to be expanded to cover Internet costs. This allowance remains at €2.50 per week, unchanged since 2018.

Finally, we ask Government to simplify the application processes for social protection entitlements. Right now, too many older people miss out on supports they are entitled to, not because they do not qualify but because the system is too complex and difficult to navigate, especially for those with lower literacy or limited digital access. For those living alone, barriers are even higher. ESRI research shows that just 6% of those eligible for the living alone allowance are actually using it. We are calling for a streamlined application process, with the State pension application amended to automatically include relevant entitlements like household benefits and free travel.

With the removal of once-off benefits in budget 2026, it is the older people who are already at risk who will be hardest hit. The five targeted interventions we have outlined here today are essential to protect this group and to prevent the consequences of inaction from falling on those least able to bear them. We would welcome the committee's support in making sure no older person is left behind in budget 2026.